136 Taliban men killed in Afghanistan
About 136 Taliban militants are killed by Afghan and US-led coalition forces in western Afghanistan in two recent clashes.
At least 136 Taliban militants are killed by Afghan and US-led coalition forces in western Afghanistan in two recent clashes, a coalition statement said on Monday.
The forces on Sunday killed 87 Taliban insurgents and destroyed seven enemy positions in Zerkoh Valley of Shindand district in Herat province, the statement said.
The forces initiated the attack on Taliban positions with mortar, small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, it said, adding that a coalition aircraft dropped multiple munitions.
In the same valley, coalition and Afghan forces came under small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from more than 70 Taliban militants on Friday, the statement said.
During the engagement, 49 Talibans, including two local Taliban leaders, were killed by a combination of small arms fire and close air support. One US soldier was also killed in the clash.
Due to rising Taliban-linked insurgency, over 1,100 people, mostly Taliban rebels, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.